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New Release!

Some new sight readings and additional reviews.

Category: Newsletter Archive

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New Release!

Sight Reading 101, Sight Reading 201, Sight Reading 301 - Ed Huckeby

Sight Reading 101, 201 or 301 is a step by step technique for effective sight-reading by distinguished composer and educator Dr. Ed Huckeby. Use with any size group and with any instrumentation. A progressive curriculum addressing the various music literacy skills to sight read efficiently. Available in three levels. Sight Reading 101 is designed to be started after the completion of any beginner band method. Sight Reading 201 is junior high, and Sight Reading 301 is high school level.

What teachers are saying...

"There is a WEALTH of musical concepts I am teaching my students EVERY-DAY. I love the process. My students definitely are more engaged in learning how to read music and they show more of an interest in executing more of the musical details as they perform.” Jacquelyn Meunier - Southeast Polk High School

“Great for methodically teaching concepts. My students now have better understanding which has given them more confidence when sight-reading” Taylor Sitzman - Union Public Schools

Released just last year this is a haunting piece of Canadiana transcribed for SAB, a cappella, evoking the sights and sounds of the Canadian wilderness as experienced by a wanderer traveling by canoe.

Percussion and visceral vocal sounds serve to add and punctuate the text, buoyed along by a repetitive but effective alto/bass line. While all parts share in the text, the star of the piece is the low-scored soprano line that has the only serious melodic interest. This however, does not make the other lines redundant; rather, the roles in supplying the harmonic structure are crucial to maintaining the atmosphere of the work.

This is a challenging and rewarding piece of music for a strong high school choir.

The publisher’s program notes detail the story of a convict escaping his captors and the authority’s attempt at recapture. With a deceptively calm introduction by a solo oboe (or clarinet), the piece propels itself into a delightful frenzy through a series of ostinati, meter changes, and relentless percussion punctuations.

After some close encounters, illustrated by varied orchestrations, contrasting dynamics, and an ear-catching percussion soli, the culprit is finally caught, and with triumphant fanfare is brought into custody at m. 135. The celebration is cut short, however, after the convict escapes and is followed by an almost Keystone Kops-type pursuit at m. 146, and evades the forces of good once and for all. A dramatic and fun work for players and audience alike.

This piece is grade 4 level, published by C.L. Barnhouse. Other titles by Conaway include Snakebite (grade 2), Minimalist Dances (grade 4), and the easier (grade 3) arrangements of Steven Reineke’s works which include The Witch and the Saint, Pilatus Mountain of Dragons, and Fate of the Gods.

…You can browse the ABA Syllabus from our web page and hear recordings in one place! No surfing back and forth between different web pages, it’s easy and quick, with the new syllabus being updated every June during our annual June Sale! And remember, if attending the ABA Festival of Bands or other festivals this spring remember to order required extra conductor scores. Need them soon? Rushes can be done. Our goal is to never miss getting scores on time.

…Our library of concert band music is now at over 4000 pieces! One can hear most of these titles at http://musicdirect.ca

…A beautiful selection of choral music is in stock and of course anything can be ordered! In store browsing welcomed or listen online.

...Once again Music Direct is attending the Print Music Dealers annual conference this year in St. Louis where Don will be meeting with publishers from the U.S. and abroad. Have anything you wish to relate to publishers?

…Music Direct is pleased to be a sponsor of the CADME "Celebration of Youth in Jazz" project and the very special presentation of the illustrious Vanguard Jazz Orchestra on Wednesday April 13 at the Jack Singer Hall in Calgary. Be sure to attend the VIP Reception with hors d’ oeuvres, beverages and student groups performing prior to the concert. Reception at 6:00 pm, concert at 7:30 pm. We are also pleased to support the recent CADME/Barbara McLain Workshop with a donation of door prizes.